Gary Neville told he ‘owned the chair’ in ‘utterly brilliant’ BBC debut as he starts exciting career move
GARY NEVILLE "owned the chair" when he made his Dragons' Den debut, businesswoman Deborah Meaden has revealed.
The programme will return to the BBC next year as they use guest celebrities to join the usual panel of Peter Jones, Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett.
Manchester United legend Neville, 48, has been named as one of two new stars of the show.
Emma Grede, who is the CEO and co-founder of fashion company Good American, will also make her Dragons' Den debut on the 21st series.
And Meaden was quick to praise Neville for his opening appearance in the Den.
She : "A first next year in @BBCDragonsden when we have some guest Dragons...
READ MORE ON GARY NEVILLE
"First up @GNev2 who was utterly brilliant and owned that chair!!"
Speaking about joining the hit show, Neville said: "It’s a pleasure to join the Dragons as a guest for the new series and see some of the amazing pitches from budding entrepreneurs from different walks of life.
"It was a privilege to share my knowledge and guidance with the brave entrepreneurs who entered the Den, but you’ll have to wait and see whether I committed to any investments!"
Off the field, ex-England right-back Neville has become a successful businessman, with a chain of hotels and townhouses.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
He owns Hotel Football overlooking Old Trafford, an apartment block in Manchester with Ryan Giggs, and League Two side Salford City.
His £750-a-night Stock Exchange Hotel - also shared with Giggs - boasts of a luxury penthouse and roof terrace.
Dragons' Den gives business hopefuls the chance to pitch their products to the multi-millionaire panel, who have the choice to invest.
The show's most successful contestants have gone on to achieve net worths of up to £70MILLION.